Young Worker Health and Safety Projects

Youth are often at high risk for injury due to their inexperience, lack of training, and developmental stage, among other reasons. LOHP has worked for over 15 years to promote the health and safety of young workers by reaching out to employers, teachers, parents, health care providers and youth themselves. We have partnered with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Education Development Center, Inc. and numerous state agencies across the country to develop programs that aim to reduce the high rate of injury among this vulnerable working population.

THE CALIFORNIA PARTNERSHIP FOR YOUNG WORKER HEALTH AND SAFETY

LOHP coordinates this statewide task force, which brings together government agencies and statewide organizations representing educators, employers, parents, job trainers and others. The partnership develops and promotes strategies to protect youth at work and serves as an advisory group on young worker advocacy projects.

YOUNG WORKER LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

Youth can also play a unique role in educating their peers and others in their communities. The Young Worker Leadership Academy teaches youth about workplace health and safety issues and their rights and responsibilities, and provides a forum for planning specific actions that can be taken in their own communities. At least one academy is held each year, involving teams of youth from throughout the state. Community actions have included conducting health and safety activities in their schools and community centers, designing informational brochures and videos, and gaining new school policies to provide working teens with health and safety information through the work permit process. These projects help highlight California’s Safe Jobs for Youth Month in May, an activity of the California Partnership for Young Worker Health and Safety.YWLA is funded by the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers’ Compensation, as part of WOSHTEP.

MAY IS SAFE JOBS FOR YOUTH MONTH

LOHP and the California Partnership sponsor an annual safety poster contest for teen artists as well as a Public Service Announcement (PSA) video contest for teens.

For more information, educational resource kits, and galleries of previous winners, visit www.youngworkers.org.

NATIONAL YOUNG WORKER SAFETY RESOURCE CENTER

The National Young Worker Safety Resource Center (YWSRC) is a collaborative project of U.C. Berkeley’s Labor Occupational Health Program (LOHP) and the Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC) in Massachusetts. The YWSRC provides training, technical assistance, and resource materials to state and community groups throughout the country.

YOUNG WORKER HOTLINE

LOHP staffs the Partnership’s telephone info line on young worker health and safety. Assistance is available in both English and Spanish. Call 1-888-933-TEEN (1-888-933-8336) with questions about teen employment rights, labor laws, and job hazards.